Ways to Remember a Loved One at Christmas

A great strategy for remembering lost loved ones at Christmas is to start a journal. Each year around Christmas, sit down and write down one of your favorite holiday memories of the deceased into the journal. Continue the tradition year after year revisiting past entries and writing new ones. You could even get other family members involved and have them each write their own entries as well. Together as a family, you can create a book of memories to cherish and revisit each year during the holidays.

For many people, the joy of shopping for others and seeing them open their gifts is the best part of the holidays. Get into the spirit of giving and consider adopting a less-fortunate family. Many churches and local charities run programs to help the less fortunate. This year, pay tribute to your loved ones and adopt a family and make a donation of gifts in your loved one’s name.

A wonderful way to pay tribute to your loved one and help the less fortunate is by donating their old clothes to a local shelter. In every community, there are people in need that can’t afford clothes they need for the winter like jackets, sweaters, hats, and gloves. Go through some of your loved one’s old clothes and pick out the gently used ones that others could benefit from.

After a loved one’s passing, many families will continue to keep their loved ones a part of the festivities in one way or another. One of the most popular ways to remember a loved one at Christmas is to hang their stocking with the rest of your family. Instead of filling it with small gifts though, have your family members write letters to your loved one and place them in the stocking.

Each year, families will often add a few new ornaments to their tree. Honour your loved one this year by purchasing or creating a special ornament just for them. Try to find or create an ornament that represents something special about them. For instance, if they loved a certain sports team, get an ornament with the logo of their favourite team on it. This is something you can do just once and have a special ornament that means a little bit more to you. Or, you can create a tradition of adding a new ornament to the tree each year. 

Many local groups often hold charity runs and walks around the holidays. This year, burn off some extra calories and participate in a walk/run that is raising money for cause your loved one would support. If they suffered from an illness or disease, see if you can find an event that is raising money to try and find a cure. Not only will the exercise help you feel better, you’ll be doing your part to support a worthy initiative in your community.

Make your Christmas wreath extra special this year by transforming it into a memorial wreath. If you’re particularly crafty, take some ornaments, old photos, or personal mementos and create a wreath that pays tribute to your loved one.

Decorating the tree is one of the best parts about preparing for the holidays. This year, make sure your loved one is a part of the festivities by creating a memory chain. Cut narrow strips of coloured paper (about 8” long and 1” wide) and invite family members to write something nice about the deceased. It could be a favourite holiday memory or a quality the deceased had. Once you’ve gathered the strips of paper, form interlinking loops to build a chain. Once it’s complete, use the chain to help decorate your tree.

The holidays are a time for giving and one where many people want to help others. This year, consider making a donation in honor of your loved one. It could be a financial donation to a cause they believed in or a toy for local children’s toy drive. You can make the donation in your loved one’s memory or even anonymously, the choice is yours.